Abstract: The present invention relates to a cage for holding an optical transceiver module in electrical contact with a host circuit board. The cage includes front, middle and rear sections, and facilitates the insertion of the optical transceiver into the cage, as well as providing electromagnetic shielding and facilitating thermal dissipation. Typically, the cage is for use with an optical transceiver module including an integral heat sink cover or with an optical transceiver module including an external heat sink mounted over top of the cage. Various embodiments illustrate different schemes for maximizing heat dissipation by providing large openings in the middle section of the cage, as well as mounting surfaces on the front and rear sections for mounting external heat sinks. One or more crossbars are provided for guiding the transceiver module during insertion.

Abstract: A module includes a module body adapted to plug into a mating port, and a latch member attached to the module body. The latch member is immovable relative to the module body when attached to the module body. The latch member is essentially always engaged with a receiving member of the mating port when the module body is plugged into the mating port, which always hinders a removal of the module body from the mating port.

Abstract: An electrical connector system has two connectors, one of which is included in a module mateable with the other connector in a pluggable manner. The other connector includes an elongated guide rail and a connector block in which are retained two or more electrical contacts. The guide rail by use of snap projections and recesses (11) may extend through an opening in a computer enclosure. A latch member is attached to the end of the guide rail in a manner that releases the latch member from the guide rail if the latch member is bumped or jarred to minimize the likelihood of damaging it. A grounding strip embedded in the guide rail makes electrical contact with the bezel through which it extends to protect against EMI. The ground strip includes raised contact portions (41) that engage a conductive bottom cover (39) of the module (72) and lower contact portions (53) for surface mount to a system circuit board (26).

Abstract: A module includes a module body adapted to plug into a mating port, and a latch member attached to the module body. The latch member is immovable relative to the module body when attached to the module body. The latch member is essentially always engaged with a receiving member of the mating port when the module body is plugged into the mating port, which always hinders a removal of the module body from the mating port.

Abstract: An optical transceiver includes structures that define an electrical connector port for allowing connection of an electrical connector to an optical subassembly of the transceiver, and structures that define a vent surrounding at least portions of the connector port, whereby the vent allows bidirectional passage of air therethrough. Included in the transceiver are structures that define electromagnetic interference shielding and selectively transfer heat of heat generating electronic components by conduction to a transceiver housing. Methods of cooling the transceiver by ventilation and internal heat conduction are present.

Abstract: An optical fiber may be used to interconnect two optical devices precisely disposed at a fixed distance with a fiber substantially larger than the inter-device distance with substantial disregard to tolerancing of the length dimension of the optical fiber so long as the optical fiber maintains a bend radius in excess of the minimum bend radius required for that optical fiber. This is accomplished by forming a loop in the optical fiber. Any increase in specified length of an optical fiber does not require a corresponding increase in available space inasmuch as the radius of the loop will increase only approximately ⅙ of the length increase. This looping permits lengthened optical fibers and relaxed tolerances permitting use of less expensive optical fibers with no sacrifice in performance quality.

Abstract: A connector system for a removable transceiver module that interfaces with an electronic device, such as a computer, switch, subsystem, peripheral device, disk drive, tape drive and other input/output devices. The electronic device includes an enclosure having a bezel that has an opening for receiving the module. A circuit board is mounted within the enclosure. A guide member is mounted on the circuit board and is elongated between first and second ends along a first axis. A connector block is located at the first end of the guide member, while a door is pivotally mounted at the second end of the guide member. The module is slidably engageable with the guide member in a direction along the first axis. The module also includes electrical contacts electrically connectable with corresponding electrical contacts in the connector block. The door is pivotable between an open position exposing the opening in the bezel and a closed position where a portion of the door outside the enclosure covers the opening.